Treatment Concerns for Veterans with PTSD and Chronic Pain

A feature in the November 11 edition of The Wall Street Journal details the concern within the Veterans Administration and Department of Defense over rising rates of addiction to opioid medications by veterans who suffer from a combination of pain and PTSD. Some 30% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans under VA care have PTSD, VA figures show, and more than half suffer chronic pain. A study by a VA researcher found that veterans with PTSD were nearly twice as likely to be prescribed opioids as those without mental-health problems. Clinicians in the VA and DOD pain management services are quoted as highlighting the need for better risk assessment and patient education in the treatment of this population. Read the story here.